An ECG machine, also called an electrocardiogram machine, records the electrical activity of your heart. The test is painless and quick, and it helps doctors find many heart problems.
How Does an ECG Machine Work?
- Electrodes: A technician places small sticky patches on your chest, arms, and legs. Wires connect them to the machine.
- Recording: The machine picks up the electrical signals that make your heart beat and shows them as waves on a screen or on paper.
- Waveform analysis: Doctors study the waves to see how fast your heart beats and whether the rhythm is steady.
What Does an ECG Detect?
- Arrhythmias: It shows irregular heartbeats.
- Heart attacks: Abnormal wave patterns can show a current or past heart attack.
- Other heart problems: It can show signs of an enlarged heart or reduced blood flow to the heart.
- Monitoring: Hospitals use it to watch patients in critical care.
What to Expect During an ECG
The test usually takes five to ten minutes. You lie still on a bed while the machine records. It does not hurt, and no electricity enters your body. Tell the technician about any medicines you take.